France's Muslims urged to vote for Macron in run-offMuslims must choose the one who defends fraternity among citizens, not discord or hatred, says head of Paris Grand Mosque

The head of the Grand Mosque of Paris on Monday called on French Muslims to vote for centrist independent candidate Emmanuel Macron in the decisive presidential run-off on May 7.

Dalil Boubakeur urged the country's nearly 5 million Muslims to "vote massively" to elect Macron, describing the second round of the vote as "decisive for the destiny of France and its religious minorities."

"The Grand Mosque of Paris and its National Federation (FGMP) call on Muslims in France to vote massively for candidate Emmanuel Macron," Boubakeur said in a statement.